Machine for repairing knitted fabrics



Feb. 23, 1932. Y J; S. PECKIER.

MACHINE FOR REPAIRING KNITTED FABRICS Filed Aug. '7. 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet on 1? y? MM ww m uwuimmiaw w 3 Mn fiw I kn l INVZNTOR.

h a w w J I ATTORNEY. 1

Feb. 23, 1932. J. s. PECKER MACHINE FOR REPAIRING KNITTED FABRICS Filed Aug. 7, .1930 4. Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR. Jose b 6. Pee/(er;

A TTORNEY Feb. 23, 1932. J. s. PECKER' 7 1,846,901

MACHINE FOR REPAIRING KNITTED FABRICS Filed Aug. 7, 1930 4 Sheets-9511951, 3

INVENTORQ Joseph J. Packer;

A TTORNE Y.

Feb. 23, 1932. J. 37 PECKER' 1,846,901

MACHINE FO HREPAIRING KNITTED FABRICS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 7, 1930- INVEN TOR Jofiiej h J. Peclfey;

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 23, 1932 UNETE JOSEPH S. PECKER, C3? PHILADELPHIA, EENNSYLVANIA macnrnn ron Bernie-ans KNITTED FABRICS Application filed August 7, 1830. Serial No. 478,641.

The invention relates to a machine for repairing knitted fabrics.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of machines for repairing knitted fabrics, more particularly. the

type of machine shown and described in application filed by me on or about May 11, 1929, Serial No. 362,386, and to provide a simple, practical and efficient mechanism of strong, durable and comparatively inexpensive construction having a horizontally movable stoclring supporting form and including means for moving the said form in synchronous relation to a vertically reciprocating needle bar to feedthestocliing or other fabric to be repaired while the needle bar is reciproeating vertically. 7 A further object of the invention'is to provide feeding means synchronized with the vertically reciprocating needle bar for moving the horizontally slidable stocking supporting form forwardly with. a step by step movement adapted to maintain the stocking supporting form stationary while the needle is passing through the fabric and capable of feeding the pivotal supporting form forwardly during the period that the needle is clear of the fabric so that the needle will not interfere with the feeding of the form.

": A further object of the invention is to provide adjustable means for varying the length of the feeding movement to adapt the same to the character of the fabric or the distance between the stitches of a run in a fabric to be repaired.

Another object cf the invention is to provide manually operable means and means adapted to be operated by the foot for disconnecting the stocking supporting form from the feeding mechanism to enable the form toslide freely in either a backward or forward direction to arrange the fabric in the desired position with relation to the needle. v

15 With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and set forth in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof. I

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a fabric carr ing machine constructed in accordance with this invention. w p i l.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same partly in section. p 1 V i V Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 38 of Fig. 1.

' Fig. 4c is a central-longitudinal sectional view partly in elevation.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the upper portion of the machine partly in section, illustrating the means for holding the needle .bar in an eievated position. v

Fig. 6 is a detail elevation partly in section iilustrating an arrangement of gearin for reversing the movement of the slidable stocking supporting form. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the worm-of the feeding mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of one form of needle. l

in theaccompanying drawings in which is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, the stocking repairing machine comprises in its construction a single vertically movable needle bar 1 designed to carry a needle of any preferred construction and mounted and operating in substantially the same manner as the needle bar of the aforesaid application. The vertically movable needle bar 1 is adjustably held in a vertically reciprocating needle bar carrier 2 mounted in a hoilow head 3 of a 'tubularor hollow arm a of the frame 5' of the 'machine.

The frameb may be of any desired construction and maybe mountedon a table or other support (not shown) in any suitable manner.

The vertically reciprocating needle bar carrier is, suitably guided in the top and bottom wails or portions of the hollow head and the needle bar carrier is tubular, as

shown, to receive the needle barv 1 Which is vertically adjustable and which may be secured in its adjustment by any suitable means, preferably by the means shown and described in the aforesaid application, to adapt the machine for 'diiferent kinds of needles and to enable a needle 1 to be arranged in proper position with relation to the fabric to be repairer.

The needle bar carrier is provided with a- J ner and may, if desired, be arranged as illustrated in the aforesaid application. The needle bar carrier is moved upwardly by the frontarm 11 of a lever 12 fulcrumed intermediate of its ends on a horizontal pivot 13 and having a rearwardly extending arm l l maintainedin engagement-with a cam or eccentric 15 by a spring 16. The cam or eccentric is carried by a horizontally disosed transverse shaft 17 which may be driven in any suitable manner, preferably by an electric motor (not shown) connected by and suitably held with a grooved pulley 18 mounted on the said transverse shaft 17. The transverse shaft 17. also carries the bal ance wneel 19. The rear arm 14 of the lever 12 is located beneath the cam or eccentric 15 and the spring 16 extends upwardly from the said arm 14 and is connected with the top wall or portion of a hollow arm. The said lever 12 is preferably provided at its ends with suitable anti-friction wheels for hearing against the arm 6 and the cam or eccentric. When the shaft 17 is rotated the lever 12 will be oscillated and the needle bar and needle bar carrier reciprocated. As the foregoingconstruction is substantially the same as that shown and described in the said application and covered by the claims thereof, further description of the means for mounting the reciprocating needle bar and needle bar carrier is deemed unnecessary.

The stocking to be repaired is arranged on a slidable form 20 of approximately the type shown in the said application and of a length to enable the entire stocking to be arranged on the form so that a run in any portion of the stocking may be repaired. The slidable stocking supporting form or mandrel is arranged in substantially a horizontalposition and consists of'a hollow or tubular member substantially oblong in cross section and provided with a tapered'front portion 21, the taper being formed by the upward curving or inclination of the bottom of the tubular member at the front thereof, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings. The top of the tubular member is substantially flat andis, provided with a central longitudinal slot 22 to form a passage for the needle.

The longitudinally slidable form which is adapted to be moved inwardly and outwardly is provided at opposite sides with longitudinal guide grooves 23 and is guided by spaced horizontal parallel guide bars 24 mounted within the frame of the machine and secured to the same by screws 25 or other suitable fastcning devices as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The guide bars 24 project inwardly from the opposite sides of the frame and form guide ribs 'which lit in the guide grooves of the horizontal slidable form and, in practice, any suitable antifriction devices may, of course, be employed for enabling the form to slide forwardly or inwardly and backwardly or outwardly with a minimum amount of friction. The term forward is to be understood to be in the direction of the feed of the form in the operation of the machine.

The longitudinally slidable form is provided at its lowerface with a longitudinal rack 26 preferably formed by cutting teeth in the lower surface of the form, the teeth being preferably in a projecting position, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawin s, but any other arrangement of rack may, of course, be employed and the said rack 26 meshes with an idler gear wheel 27 mounted on a. stud 28 preferably consisting of a horizontal screw threaded into one side of the frame of the machine and arranged interiorly thereof and having a smooth j ournalled portion receiving the hub of the gear wheel 27.

The stud 28 is providedwith a head 29 and it has a portion 30 adjacent the head of greater diameter than the journalled portion 28 to form a shoulder or a button for the gear wheel 27 and a sprin 31 disposed on the enlarged portion 30 o the stud and is interposed between the head 29 of the said stud and the gear wheel 27 for maintaining the hub portion of the gear wheel firmly against the adjacent side of the frame of the machine. The gear wheel 27 meshes with a pinion 32 preferably located beneath the gear wheel 27 and mounted upon a slidable shaft or spindle 33 which is movable inwardly and outwardly to carry the pinion 32 into and out of mesh with the geai wheel 27 to connect the gear wheel with and disconnect the same from the feeding mechanism. When the gear wheel is disconnected from the feeding mechanism, the

stocking supporting form is slidable freely forwardly and rearwardly for arranging a stocking. on the formand for positioning the stocking properly with relation to the reciprocating needle for the repair of a run in the stocking and for removing or changing the position of the stocking. In practice, the

slidable stocking supporting form will be of sufiicient length to enable a stocking to. be completely arranged on the form. 7

The feeding mechanism for moving or feeding the horizontal slidable stocking supporting form in synchronous relation to the vertically reciprocating needle comprises in its construction an eccentric 34 mounted for rotary movement on the transverse shaft 17 and connected by a link 35 with an oscillating lever 36 fulcrumed adjacent one end on r a horizontal stud 37 which is tubular and which projects laterally from one side of the frame of the machine as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. 6

The lever 36 which is provided with spaced projecting lugs 38 and 39 is arranged in substantially a horizontal position and its longer arm is provided with a longitudinal slot or opening in which is slidably mounted a pivot 40 which connects the lower end of the linlr 35 to the lever 36. When the shaft 17 rotates in the operation of the machine, the eccentric 34 is rotated and the lever 36 is oscillated and moved upwardly and downwardly through an arc or angle which is adapted to be varied by an adjusting screw 41 mounted in the lever 36 in a suitable hearing thereof and extending into the longitudinal slot'or opening 42 and engaging the pivot stud 40; The screw 41 is provided at its outer end with a head 43 which is adapted to be rotated to move the stud 40 along the slot or opening 42 toward and from the pivot stud 37 to vary the length of the are or angle through which the lever moves and through the mechanism hereinafter described to vary the feeding movement of the stocking supporting form. As hereinafter described the gearing which is connected with the stocking supporting form is partially rotated during the downward movement of the long arm of the member 36 to effect a feeding or the said form which remains stationary during the upward movement of the lever.

The oscillating lever carries the worm 44 extending longitudinally of the lever and meshing with a worm wheel'45 which is mounted on the stud 3?. The worm 44 is preferably formed integral with and constitutes a portion of the sleeve 46 which is mounted on other end of the worm carrying sleeve 46 is.

provided with a female or cup section 50 of friction clutch which is composed of the said cup section and a plug or cone section 51. The plug or cone section 51 is adjustably secured to the lug 39 by means of a sleeve or tubular hub extension 52 provided with exterior screw threads 53 and threaded into-an tubular hub extension 52 is provided with a groove 54 to receive the blade of a screw driver or other tool and a lock nut 55 is mounted on the outer end of" the tubular hub portion and abuts againstthe outer side of the lug for rigidly securing the cone or plug portion of the clutch in its adjustment. vVhen in operation of themachine, the lever 36 is moved downwardly, the plug portion 51 of the friction clutch is thrust against the cup section 50 with suficient force to prevent rotary movement of the worm. on the shaft 47 and the oscillatory movement of the lever and the worm carried by the safe will partially rotate the worm wheel 45 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. l of the drawings and a corresponding movement is transmitted through the said gear wheels 27 and 32' to the slid-able stocking support form which is thereby fed forwardly. In the upward movement of the lever due to the completion of a revolution of the eccentric 34, the worm wheel isheld against rotary movement by the friction devices hereinafter described and the worm gearing sleeve is moved sufficiently along the shaft 47 to releasethe friction of the clutch sections 50 and 51 and the angle of the teeth of the wormwheel and the worm.

is such as to cause the worm to turn freely underthese COllClltlOIlS;

' Through this operatlon the stocking supporting form is fed forwardly during the downward movement of the oscillating lever and remains stationary during the upward movement of the same and a step by step feeding movement is thereby imparted to the stocking supporting form which feeding movement may bevaried in length by the adjustment of the lower end of the link 35 to suitthe character of the fabric of the stocking to be repaired.

The hollow stud 3'? has a threaded inner end 56 which is threaded into. a'threaded opening in the adjacentside" of the frame of the machine and the said stud is provided with a polygonal wrench receiving portion 57 arrangedadjacent to the inner end of the threaded portion 56 and also adjacent to the j ournal ed portion upon which the oscillatory lever is mounted. The stud is also provided with a reduced journal portion 58 upon which is mounted the worm wheel 45. A pair of friction washers or members 59 and 60 is arranged at opposite sides of the worm wheel 45 and these are provided with integral lreysor projections 61 extending into a longitudinal groove or keyway 62' inthe' stud 37 to prevent relative rotary movement of the friction members. The friction members 59 and 60 en age the worm wheel andare maintained insuch frictional engagement by means of a coiled spring .63 which is interposed between the outer friction members 60 and a lOO j a socket 69.

pairaof lock nuts 64. The outer end of the tubular stud 37 is threaded to receive the lock nuts 64which are adapted to be adjusted to vary the tension of the spring and the fricing the upward movement of the oscillatory member to cause a rotary movement of the worm. By this construction the oscillatory lever with its wormand worm wheel is adapted to perform the functions of a pawl and ratchet and at the same time enable a fine adj ustm-ent to be made in the feeding mechanism through the screw adjustment at the lower end of the link 35.

The worm wheel is provided with a clutch section 65 which cooperates with a clutch section 66 consisting. of a hollow cylindrical member provided with an outer reduced cy lindrical portion 67 which is keyed to the outer end of a shaft 68 and retained thereon by lock nuts 69. The shaft 68 extends through the tubular stud and is provided at its inner end with an'enlargement forming The socket 69 is provided with an exterior shoulder 70 and a coiled spring 71 is interposed between the shoulder and the inner end of the tubular stud for causing the outer clutch section 66 to engage the clutch section of the worm wheel. This construction frictionally connects the shaft 68 with the worm wheel. The socket 69 receives the inner end of the shaft 33 which is arranged in alignment with the shaft 68 and which is provided with a longitudinal groove 7 2-. The groove 72 is engaged by the inner end of a'screw 73 mounted in a threaded opening in the wall of the socket 69 andslidably interlocking the shafts 33 and 68.

The groove 72 extends longitudinally of the shaft 33 from the inner end thereof and a slidable connection between the shafts 33 and 68 permits the pinion 32 to be carried into and out of mesh with the gear wheel 27 to the slidable form with the feeding mechanism and to disconnect it therefrom. The shaft 33 which is'journalled in a suitable bearing 74 of the frame of the machine is eX- tended outwardly beyond the frame and has mounted on it a knob 75 provided with a tubular shank secured to the shaft by a pin 76 or other suitable fastening means and having an annular groove 77 which is engaged by a forked end 7 8 of a foot lever '59. The foot lever 7 9 is fulcrumed intermediate of its ends by a suitable pivot 80 on the exterior of the machine is mounted and is provided at its lower end with a suitable head or portion 83 which is adapted to be engaged by the knee of the operator. The lower depending arm of the lever 7 9 is adapted to be moved outwardly to carry the shaft 33 inwardly and the shaft 33 is returned to its initial position by a spring 84 when the lever 7 9 is released. The shaft is also adapted to be moved inwardly by the ha'ndof the operator grasping the knob and moving the latter inwardly. When the shaft 33 is moved inwardly the pinion 32 is carried out of mesh with the gear wheel 27 and the slidable stocking supporting form is freely movable in either direction along its guides.

Also, the knob through the interlocking of the shafts 33 and 68 is adapted to be operated to move the slidable form when sufiicient force is used to overcome the friction of the devices for connecting the shaft 68 with the worm wheel. This will permit a manual adj ustment of the sliding stocking supporting form without disconnecting the same from thefeeding mechanism. The coiled spring 81 is interposed between the side of the frame and thetubular shank or extended hub portion of the knob. I

The slidable stocking supporting form which is hollow is provided in its bottom portion with a longitudinal slot 85 of slightly greater width than the slot 22 which provides passage for the reciprocating needle and the electric light 86 is located below the stocking supporting form so that the rays of light passing through the slots 22 and 85 will enable the threads of a. run to be clearly seen by the operator so that the fabric operated on may be accurately repaired. The electric light is preferably mounted upon the table and is located within the lower portion of the frame of the machine as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

In practice, the operator disengages the pinion 32 from the gear wheel 27 and pulls the stocking supporting form outward and stretches thestocking over it arranging the run in proper position to be repaired. The form is of sufficient length to accommodate the entire stocking so that any portion of the stocking may be repaired by properly adjusting thestooking on the form and placing the form in proper. position with relation to the reciprocating needle.

The movement of the said pinion out of mesh with the gear wheel 27 may be effected either manually or by the knee and the pinion will be. automatically carried into mesh as soon as the manual or knee operating means is released by the operator.

VVhenthe movement of the driving eccen: trio is such as to cause a downward movement of the oscillatory arm or lever the cone plug 51 which is carried by the oscillatory arm comes in contact with the cup section 50 Y of the wormand through friction prevents the worm from revolving. The worm being engaged with the worm wheel causes a partial rotation of the worm wheel in a clockwise direction during such downward movement of the oscillating arm overcoming the friction of the friction washers or members 59 and 60 located at opposite sides of the worm wheel. ,On the return or upward movement of the oscillatingarm or lever due to the completion of a rotation of the eccentric 3a, the worm wheel which is held against rotation by the said friction washers or members pulls the cup section of the worm from the fixed cone or plug section 51 releasing the friction and as the left hand end of the worm is thrust against the ball thrust bearing 49, the Worm is free to rotate and is rotated by the worm wheel which remains in a stationary position during the upward movement of the ing mechanism with thejslidable stocking sup-' porting form moves the said form in one direction only, it will be clear that any formof gearingmay be employed for transmitting motion from the shaft 33 to the form and that gearing having a reverse idler may be provided so that the form can be moved in either direction. One form of gearing for reversing the movement of the slidable stocking sup porting form is illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The gear wheel 27 is carried by a lever 87 pivoted on the shaft 33 and also carrying an idler gear 88 meshing with the gear 27 and movable into and out of mesh with the teeth 26 of the stocking supporting form by shifting the lever 87. When the idler gear 88 is moved into mesh with the teeth 26 of the stocking supporting form, the gear 27, which produces a direct feed, is carried out of engagement with the teeth 26, and when the said gear 88 is swung out of mesh with the teeth 26 the gear 27 is carried into mesh with the said teeth 26. Any suitable means may be employed for locking thelever 87 in either ofits adjusted positions, and in Fig. 6 the locking means comprises a pin 89 having a head or knob and slidable in the lever and movable into and out of engagement with holes 90 in the frame of the machine. Any

suitable means may, of course, be employed for retaining the pin 89 in engagement with the holes 90. as will be readily understood.

What is claimed is 1. A machine of the class described includmg a slidable stocking supporting form, a reciprocating needle carrylng member, and mechanism in synchronous relatlon with the needle carrying member for automatically feeding the stocking supporting form during the reciprocation of the'needle carrying member, said mechanism including an oscillating element, a worm carried by and oscillated by the said element, and a worm wheel coacting with the said worm and partially rotated by the same only when the oscillatory element moves in one direction. g g Y 2. A machine of the class described including a slidable stocking supl'aorting form, a I

reciprocating needle carrying member, and mechanism in synchronous relation with the needle carrying member for automatically feeding the stocking supporting form during the reciprocation of the needle carrying mem"-' her, said mechanism including an oscillating element, a worm oscillatedby said element, a worm wheel coacting with the worm, and means for causing the worm to partially rotate the worm wheel during the movement of the oscillating member in one direction andfor causing the worm wheel to partially rotate the worm when the said member moves inthe opposite direction.

3. A machine of the class described in eluding a slidable stocking supporting form,

a reciprocating needle carrying member, and mechanism in synchronous relation with the needle carrying member for automatically feedingthestocking supporting form during the reciprocation of the needle carrying member, said mechanism including an oscillating element, a worm oscillated by said element, a worm wheel coacting with the worm, and means for causing the worm to partially rotate the worm wheel during the movement of the oscillating memberin one direction and for causing the worm wheel to partially rotate the worm when the said member .moves in the opposite direction, and separate devices associated respectively with the worm and the worm wheel and constructed and arranged to hold the worm against movement when the oscillating member moves in one direction and for holding the worm'wheel against movement when the oscillating member moves in the opposite direction. I V

4. A machine of the class described including a slidable stocking supporting form,

direction and for causing the worm wheel to partially rotate the worm when the said member moves in the opposite direction, and a friction clutch associated with the worm and arranged to hold the same against rotation when the oscillating element moves in one direction and to release the worm when the oscillating element moves in the opposite direction.

5. A machine of the class described including a slidable stocking supporting form, reciprocatingneedle carrying member, and mechanism in synchronous relation with the needle carrying member for automatically feeding the stocking supporting form during the reciprocation of the needle carrying member, said mechanism including an oscillating element, a worm oscillated by said element, a worm wheel coacting with the worm, means for causing the worm to partially rotate the worm wheel during the movement of the oscillating member in one direction and for causing the worm wheel to partially rotate the worm when the said member moves in the opposite direction, and friction means for holding the worm wheel against rotation when the worm is released by the said friction clutch. 7

.6. A machine of the classdescribed including a slidable stocking supporting form, a reciprocating needle carrying member, and mechanism in synchronous relation with the needle carrying member for. automatically feeding the stocking supporting form dur-' ing the reciprocation of the needle carrying member, said mechanism'including an oscillating element, a worm oscillated by said element, a worm wheel coacting with the worm, means for causing the worm to partially rotate the worm wheel during the movement of the oscillating member in one direction and for causing the worm wheel to partially rotate the worm when the said member moves in the opposite direction, and friction means for holding the worm wheel against rotation when the worm is released by the said friction clutch, the said friction means comprising a friction clutch located at one side of the worm wheel, and separate friction elements located at opposite sides of the worm wheel.

7. A machine of the class described including a slidable stocking supporting form, areciprocating needle carrying member, and mechanism in synchronous relation with the needle carrying member for. automatically feeding the stocking supporting form during the reciprocation of the needle carrying member, said mechanism including an oscillating element, a worm oscillated by said element, a worm wheel coacting with the worm, means for causing the worm to partially ro-, tate the worm wheel during the movement of the oscillating member in one direction and for causing the worm wheel to partially rotate the worm when the said member moves in the opposite direction, and friction means for holding the worm wheel against rotation when the worm is released by the said friction clutch, and manually operable means for moving the stocking supporting form against the action of the said friction means.

8. A machine of the class described including a slidable stocking supporting form, a reciprocating needle carrying member, and mechanism in synchronous relation with the needle carrying member for automatically and variably feeding the stocking supporting form during the reciprocation of the needle carrying member, said mechanism including an oscillating element, a worm carried by and oscillated by the said element, a worm wheel coacting with the said worm and partially rotated by the same only when the oscillatory element moves in vone direction, and gearing for transmitting motion from the worm wheel to the stocking supporting form, and means for disconnecting the stocking support ng form from the worm wheel to permit free movement of the said form. I

9. A machine of the class described including a slidable stocking supporting form, a reciprocating needle carrying member, and

mechanism in synchronous relation with the I needle carrying member for automatically and variably feeding the stocking supporting form during the reciprocation of the needle carrying member, said mechanism including an oscillating element, a worm carried by and oscillated by the said element, a worm wheel coacting with the said worm and partially rotated by the same only when the oscillatory element moves in one direction, and

gearing for transmitting motion from the coacting with the said worm and partially rotated by the same only when the oscillatory element moves in one direction, and gearing for transmitting motion from the worm wheel to the stocking supporting form, and having a gear movable into and out of mesh to connect and disconnect the form from the feeding means, anda manually operable device for moving said gear into and out of mesh.

11. A machine of the class described ineluding a slidable stocking supporting form, a reciprocating needle carying member, and mechanism in synchronous relation with the needle carrying member for automatically and variably feeding the stocking supporting form during the reciprocation of thencedle carrying member, said mechanism including an oscillating element, a worm oscillated by the said element, a worm wheel coacting with the said worm and partially rotated by the same only when the oscillatory element moves in one direction, and gearing for transmitting motion from the worm wheel to the stocking form, and having a gear movable into and out of mesh to connect and disconnect the form from the feeding means, a manually operable device for moving said gear into and out of mesh, and

means for automatically returning the said gear into mesh when the same is released from manual operation.

12. A machine of the class described ineluding a slidable stocking supporting form, a reciprocating needle carrying member, and mechanism in synchronous relation with the needle carrying member for automatically feeding the stocking supporting form during the reciprocation of the needle carrying memher, said mechanism including an oscillating element, a worm oscillated by the said element,

a worm wheel coacting with the said worm and partially rotated by the same only when tl e oscillatory element moves in one direction, and gearing for transmitting motion from the worm wheel to the stocking supporting form, and having a gear movable into and out of mesh to connect and disconnect the form from the feeding means, a manually operable device for moving said gear into and out of mesh, and a lever arranged to be operated by the knee and connected with the said gear for moving the same out of mesh to disconnect the form from the feeding mechanism.

13. A machine of the class described including a slidable stocking supporting form, a reciprocating needle carrying member, and mechanism in synchronous relation with the needle carrying member for automatically feeding the stocking supporting form during the reciprocation of the needle carrying member, said mechanism including an oscillating element, a worm oscillated by the said element, a worm wheel coacting with the said worm and partially rotated by the same only when the oscillatory element moves in one direction, and gearing for transmitting motion from the worm wheel to the stocking supporting form, and having a gear movable into and out of mesh to connect and disconnect the form from the feeding means, a manually operable knob connected with the said gear, and a foot lever extending from and connected with the knob, said knob and foot lever being operable to move the said gear out of mesh to disconnect the form from the feeding means.

14. A machine of the class described including a slidable stocking supporting form, a reciprocating needle carrying member, and mechanism in synchronous relation with the needle carrying member for automatically feeding the stocking supporting form during the reciprocation of the needle carrying memer, said mechanism including an oscillating lever, a worm oscillated by said lever, a worm wheel coacting with'the worm, and means for causing the worm to partially rotate the worm wheel during the movement of the oscillating lever in one direction and for causing the worm Wheel to rotate the worm when the oscillating lever moves in the opposite direction, an eccentric, a link connection between the eccentric'and the lever, and an adjust-mg means carried by the lever for moving the link connection toward and from the axis of the lever to vary the angle through which the lever moves.

15. A machine of the class described including aslidable stocking supporting form, r a reciprocating needle carrying member, and mechanism in synchronous relation with the needle carrying member for automatically feeding the stocking supporting form during the reciprocation of the needle carrying member, said mechanism including an oscillating lever, a worm oscillated by said lever, a worm wheel coacting with the worm, and means for causing the worm to partially rotate the worm wheel during the movement of the oscillating lever in one direction and for causing the worm wheel to rotate the worm when the oscillating lever moves in the opposite direction, an eccentric, a link connection between theeccentric and the lever, and an adjusting screw extending longitudinally of the os cillating lever and engaged with the link connection for moving the same toward and from the axis of the lever to vary the angle through which the lever moves.

16. A machine of the class described including a slidable stocking supporting form, a reciprocating needle carrying member, and mechanism in synchronism with the needle carrying member for automatically feeding the stocking supporting. form as the needle carrying member reciprocates, said mechanism comprising an oscillating lever, transversely aligned shafts slidably connected to permit relative longitudinal movement of one of said shafts, gearing for, connecting the longitudinally movable shafts with the slidable form, and means for connecting the other of said transverse shafts with the oscillating lever including a-worm carried by the lever, and a worm wheel meshing with the worm and connected with the said last mentioned shaft 17 A:machine of the class described ineluding a slidable stocking supporting form, a reciprocating needle carrying member, and mechanism in synchronism with the needle carrying member for automatically feeding the stocking supporting form as the needle carrying member reciprocates, said mechanism comprising an oscillating lever, transversely aligned shafts slidably connected to permit relative longitudinal movement of one of said shafts, gearing for connecting the longitudinally movable shafts with the slidable form, means for connecting the other of said transverse shafts with the oscillating lever including a worm carried by the lever, a

worm wheelmeshing with the worm, and a friction clutch having sections carried by the worm wheel and the last mentioned shaft.

18. A machine of the class described including a slidable stocking supporting form, a reciprocating needle carrying member, and mechanism in synchronismwith the needle carrying member for automatically feeding the stocking supporting form as the needle carrying member reciprocates, said mechanism comprising an oscillating lever, transversely aligned shafts slidably connected to permit relative longitudinal movement of one of said shafts, gearing for connecting the longitudinally movable shafts with the slidable form, means for connecting the other of said transverse shafts with the oscillating lever including a worm carried by the lever, a worm wheel meshing with the worm, a friction clutch having sections carried by the worm wheel and the last mentioned shaft, and separate friction means engaging the worm Wheel for resisting rotation thereof.

19. A machine of the class described including a slidable stocking supporting form, a reciprocating needle carrying member, and mechanism in synchronism with the needle carrying member for automatically feeding the stocking supporting form as the needle carrying member reciprocates, said mechanism comprising an oscillating lever, transversely aligned shafts slidably connected to permit relative longitudinal movement of one of said shafts, gearing for connecting the longitudinally movable shafts with the slidable form, means for connecting the other of said transverse shafts with the oscillating lever including a fixed hollow pivot through which the said lastmentioned shaft passes, said pivot having the oscillatory lever mounted on it, a worm wheel also mounted on the said pivot, a worm carried by the lever and meshing with the worm wheel, and a friction clutch connecting the worm wheel with the said last mentioned shaft.

20, A machine of the class described including a slidable stocking supporting form, a reciprocating needle carrying member, and mechanism in synchronism with the needle carrying member for automatically feeding the stocking supporting form as the needle carrying member reciprocates, said mechan1sm comprismg an oscillating lever, transversely aligned shafts slidably connected to permit relative longitudinal movement of'one of ca 1d shafts, gearing for connecting the loncluding a fixed hollow pivot through which the said last mentioned shaft passes, said pivot having the oscillatory lever mounted on it, a worm wheel also mounted on the said pivot, a worm carried by the lever and meshing with the worm wheel, a friction clutch connecting the worm wheel with the said last mentioned shaft, separate friction means engaging the worm wheel for holding the same against movement when the lever moves in one direction, and a friction clutch having sections carried by the worm and by the lever for holding the worm against movement when the lever moves in the opposite direction.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set JOSEPH S. PEOKER. 

